The new episode was really interesting! However, there were of course, mixed reactions about it. Toes were stepped on, especially in the shipper world. I just have to get this off my chest but I really believe that, if you think Taek and Deok's development came out of nowhere, you haven't been paying attention to the show. Or, you didn't see the development because you didn't want to.
It's a discredit to Taek's character, a disservice to the writers, and to yourself.
Note that I love all characters and love any pairing, but people put down TK's character more so I feel the need to vouch for him lol. This isn't "ANTI JHDK" in any way, just showing why the other pairing is an option.
DS has been re-evaluating her impression of Taek for a while now. Since she went to China with him, saw him smoking and saw him in his "element"--the Baduk tournament. Then, when he saved her from the volleyball at the beach. You can tell the way she looks at him in those "moments", wide eyes and mouth slightly agape It's true that we have no clear confirmation from DK, but if you pay attention to her behavior, you can see changes.
When she had indigestion and Taek gave her medicine, she needed to burp. She looked at Taek and then looked away and then tried to do it as subtle as possible. Why would she care about her image in front of someone she has not an ounce of feelings for? Taek told her to keep her Saturday free, didn't tell her why, and she didn't have to, but she did. Then, the night before she goes out of her way to get TK fish snacks, go to his room, and remind him about his call and Saturday.
Not to mention how disappointed she was when TK cancelled. Why was she disappointed? TK didn't tell her about any plans. She was disappointed because she had wanted to see him. Why didn't she persist the way she did for. Junghwan?
First, she assumed he was had a good reason. It's Taek. Second, I'm sure that DK is tired of always pursuing and not having it work out--with Sunwoo and Junghwan. And she's overloaded with maybe not making it to college. And TK is overseas.
Then, in episode 17, DR is carrying her around. But when TK offered, and even when the seurity guard came, DK was hesitant. Why would she be hesitant if TK was on DR's level? I'm not saying she liked him already, but it's clear that DK's feelings had been shifting and she felt nervous and shy at the idea of him carrying her because of these feelings. Him picking her up and carrying her might have just made her seal the deal.
Taek has liked DK for a very long time. Ever wonder why he coincidentally called her the day of the first snow? Because he listened when she was telling Sunwoo to confess on the first snow. Not to mention the narration when he called her was, “Maybe you will be confessed to by someone who has liked you a very long time.”
Now, there is also talk about TK being cunning and deceitful because he isn't as helpless as we thought (can tie his shoes well, use chopsticks just fine, etc). Please think about the environment TK is in the Baduk world. People don't treat him like a regular person, and people are either trying to knock him down or pull him up on a pedestal. As if the game isn't stressful enough, the environment is even more so. Is it so wrong for TK, when he gets back home, to want to still retain the image the other neighborhood kids have of him? To be a kid again?
He lost his mom at a young age and then was thrust into the professional world of Baduk at the age of 9 and became a global Baduk prodigy. Having the other neighborhood kids still feel like they need to protect him by seeming to be bad at practical things, it could be a way for him to keep his place with them.
As previously said, TK has liked DK for a very long time. He has every right to pursue her, just as JH has every right to not pursue her. And, at the time when TK realized JH feelings, he didn't know JH had held back for him. He thought they were both going to go for DK. When he did find out (JH's wallet), he stopped.
That's all for now. I could type WAY more but my hands are freezing like crazy.
I love JH, TK, DK, and all the characters. It's important to give all of them a fair chance. And beyond the triangle, the show itself has a wonderful cast and delivers great messages about life and family. So just because your pairing doesn't work out, don't discredit the whole show.
